Newspaper Page Text
December 1980
Page 3 — EDITORIALS
OUR VIEW
We Must Examine
Sex Roles
A recent study on the impact of the
Spelman College environment on its
students by Dr. Jacquelyn Fleming for
the Carnegie Foundation caused quite a
commotion in certain circles of the
campus community.
While this commotion is quite justified
on the basis of the study’s findings, one
wonders whether the furor will be
transmitted in constructive channels in an
effort to address the crucial issues thrown
at us from this study.
It is interesting that while some
students had much to say about a feature
column on page 9 of the last Spotlight
issue (which was not even meant to be
taken seriously), no one cared to respond
to the news story on page 7 in which Dr.
Fleming revealed aspects about Spelman
women that would make most of us
cringe in our seats.
On second thought, however, if Dr.
Fleming’s findings are accurate, then
what we find as interesting would
certainly seem normal. It would be quite
normal for Spelman students to bypass
news pages of worthy content to dwell on
a feature story concerning beauty queens.
According to Dr. Felming’s findings,
Spelman women, as they progress from
freshman class status to senior status,
tend to lower their career aspirations into
more traditional occupational avenues.
According to her study, “There are
specific indications of changes from
nontraditional career womanhood
toward a working wife orientation,” and
Spotlight
The Spotlight salutes Mrs. Isabel
Stewart, Dr. Jacquelyn Jones-Royster,
and all of those who made it possible for
the Spelman Community to be involved
with the planning and execution of the
conference on southern women, “From
“the self-concept and personality findings
indicate less assertiveness and
outspokenness by senior year.” In
addition, the study reveals that “the
reduced interest in studyingand grades as
well as greater interest in the
extracurricular may be symptomatic of a
loss of ego-involvement in intellectual
pursuits.”
This study has raised crucial issues that
we must deliberate and act upon, rather
than toss off as mere nonsense. Much of
what the study says is reflective of the
actual Spelman College environment.
There are so many of us, who run around
pledging Alpha Angel, Que Pearl, Sigma
Sweetheart, etc. (all of which are
extracurricular endeavors) when we
should be in our rooms studying.
We do take exception, however, with
one thing. The study should have been
titled, “The Impact of Men (or
Morehouse Men, in particular) on
Spelman students,” for this is what the
issue really is.
As the study points out, “The sex role
conditioning that occurs in social
interactions with males, exerts a powerful
influence on young women who hope to
come away with marriage partners — an
influence apparently stronger than the
values of Spelman College.” Needless to
say, this influence is also often in conflict
with the purposes and goals of Spelman
College. Clearly this raises an issue that
should not be ignored.
Salutes
Myth to Modern Times,” which was held
November 13-15. Such an activity is
reflective of the kinds of endeavors this
institution should be involved in as a
black female institution of higher
learning.
Tribute To Black Women
“A Tribute to Black Women," the 1980
Morehouse Homecoming Coronation
was also a tribute to black men,
particularly black men.
The Spotlight satutes Lamar Alford
and his staff for the fine production.
Coronation was positive, uplifting, very
well executed and professionally handled,
and it made every woman in the audience
proud to be black and female.
We also salute our Spelman Sisters
who participated in coronation for
portraying and representing black
womanhood at its best in this year’s
coronation.
Spotlight Apologizes
The Spotlight Staff and editors
apologize for the poor layout and
appearance of our last issue. We have met
internally, reorganized, and have
changed printers. The Spelman College
Community will never receive an issue of
similar quality as the last one.
Editorials in this column are written jointly by the editor-in-chief and
associate editor and reflect this paper's official position. This Spotlight does
welcome editorials or lettersfrom students or faculty or any interested person.
We maintain, however, the right to reject any copy.
DO
not
enter
“To Be Or Not To Be...
etACK PESOUR-CES IMC,
e>R4N)D0M jfc.
By Stacy Aniece Morgan
Contributing Writer
Black colleges have played an intricate
part in the Black community. For many
years these were the only schools that
were available for Blacks seeking higher
education, and historically Black colleges
have produced influential individuals.
The role as well as the ideas of Black
institutions play an important function in
society.
The most important tools in the
educational system are faculty members
and administrators. In Black institutions
the faculty-student relationship is quite
unique. Teachers in Black institutions
tend to have a closer relationship with
their students, whether it be in or outside
of the classroom. Administrators heed to
the students needs, considering the
student an individual and not just a
number.
Academically, the performance of a
student attending a Black institution
exceeds that of a student attending a
White college. In a Black institution one
still obtains material from the traditional
textbooks, but he is also given
supplemental material that is pertinent to
the Black/Africak people. For example,
in a Psychology course in the Black
college the student still learns about
Freud and Piaget, but he is also given
some Akbar and Nobles. Going beyond
this realm, the tcaching.of pride in Black
schools is also a very important tradition.
Teaching that “Black” is not a word that
should carry negative connotations, but
on the contrary positive connotations,
can often clarify years of miseducation.
One’s social life, along with his cultural
life, is also enhanced at Black colleges.
The various organizations that are
available to the individual are quite
appealing — “there is something for
everyone.” If the person is interested in a
National, Black group it should not be
difficult to find. Blacks tend to join
“Black" sororities and fraternities, thus
the opportunity is usually available.
However, the Black institution may still
have professional, “White” sororities and
fraternities. Whereas, the Black student
in White institution may have little or no
say in the student government, the Black
student in the Black college can have an
impact on the function of the school.
Culturally, the Black colleges have
come and relate ideas along with talents.
The plays, speakers, concerts, etc.
presented by students are also rewarding
in Black Colleges; making one feel very
proud of being part of a race that is
“overwhelmed” with natural abilities.
It is no secret that Black institutions are
subtly being destroyed. Black colelges
must not become history, but must
continue to stand the test of time in order
tot produce Black leaders of the future*...